The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, presented the Budget for the state for the financial year 2025-26 on March 17, 2025.
Budget Highlights
- The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Himachal Pradesh for 2025-26 (at current prices) is projected to be Rs 2,55,636 crore, amounting to growth of 10% over 2024-25.
- Expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2025-26 is estimated to be Rs 52,709 crore, a decrease of 11% from the revised estimates of 2024-25. In addition, debt of Rs 5,806 crore will be repaid by the state.
- Receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2025-26 are estimated to be Rs 42,371 crore, a decrease of 3% as compared to the revised estimate of 2024-25.
- Revenue deficit in 2025-26 is estimated to be 2.5% of GSDP (Rs 6,390 crore), as compared to a revenue deficit of 2.8% of GSDP (Rs 6,486 crore) at the revised estimate stage in 2024-25.
- Fiscal deficit for 2025-26 is targeted at 4% of GSDP (Rs 10,338 crore). In 2024-25, as per the revised estimates, fiscal deficit is expected to be 6.6% of GSDP, higher than the budgeted 4.7% of GSDP.
Policy Highlights
- Agriculture Loan Interest Subvention Scheme: Farmers with agricultural loans up to three lakh rupees will be offered a one-time settlement policy to repay their loans. Under the policy, the state government will bear 50% of the total interest accrued on the principal amount.
- Chief Minister Tourism Start-Up Scheme: Young persons will be provided interest subvention of 4%-5% on loans to construct home stay units and hotels. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 50 crore.
- Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojana: Rs 25,000 will be deposited in an insurance company when a girl child is born in a below-poverty line family. The parents will also be provided life insurance benefits.
- Health and Nutrition: Under the newly announced Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana, supplementary nutrition will be provided to all Anganwadi Centres in the state. Patients will be provided up to 20 types of diagnostic tests and 150 AYUSH medicines for free under the Acharya Charak Yojana.